Around them, Polis was awake and busier than Clarke had ever seen it. There was no panic, but everyone moved quickly, with purpose.
When they entered Ontari's suite, Raven was working at the table. She looked up and grinned, "Just who I need."
"Where is Heda?" Lexa asked.
Raven pointed toward the balcony, but stopped Lexa from going out there. "I need to pick your brain."
Clarke went to the balcony while Lexa pulled a chair beside Raven.
Ontari sat sullenly in a chair, weapons spread around her as she cleaned and sharpened them. Clarke moved the other chair closer and sat down. "Hey."
"Wanheda."
"Are you alright?"
Ontari didn't answer immediately.
"Lexa lost her first four battles. Told me she got chased all the way back to Tondisi the first time."
"I did not run."
"No, you didn't. You protected your people."
"Not well enough," Ontari said bitterly.
"You did," Clarke insisted. "You stayed with them and kept them orderly instead of running willy nilly. You allowed time for the healers to get to safety. People got hurt, and there were healers to treat them. The worst injured were brought back to Polis right away." Clarke put her arm on Ontari's forearm, stilling her actions. "You are their heda, and they follow you. If they see you like this, they'll give up. You're strong. Show it."
"I am nothing." Ontari dropped the blade and the sharpening stone. "Nia's puppet. Roan's. Lexa's. Even yours."
"You are heda," Clarke insisted. "You would have been heda no matter what. You are the oldest, strongest, and most experienced of the Natblida. None of those children would have survived. What do you think Titus would have done to Aden had he become heda?"
"Controlled and manipulated him."
"Have we done that? Have we done anything except try to help you do your best?"
"No." Ontari continued to look at the ground.
"We will get through this," Clarke promised. "And everything else that comes. You aren't alone in any of this, and I'm not talking about all the hedas in the Flame."
"The Coalition," Ontari said helplessly.
"The Coalition holds. Three of 13 rebel. The rest are with us. I haven't had time to read the messages but the last I heard, Plains riders are on the way. There were some Nomads fighting with us, too, Ontari. I haven't heard of that happening before."
"Nomads?"
"Sha, and a third of Skaikru on the battlefield with the rest of the krus. Lander will not win." Rage welled up in Clarke. "I will kill him myself if I have to."
Ontari looked at Clarke for the first time. "He is mine."
"Let's go figure out how to get him." Clarke stood and waited for Ontari. They went inside.
Lexa had called Aden to join she and Raven. The tabletop was covered with paper, a rough map of the city on it. They were all marking different places. Aden saw them first and scrambled up. "Heda," he said, and bowed.
"What is this?"
"Raven has many ideas to protect Polis."
"How much time do we have?" Raven asked.
"A day," Lexa answered. "Two if Trikru can slow them enough."
"Good. Enough to get ready." Raven looked at Ontari. "You're going to kick his ass, but we're going to need a lot of help."
"What do you need?" Ontari spoke for the first time, relieving everyone.
"We need to make sure the walls are secure, set up some mines and barriers. Explosives and archers on the walls and on the roofs of some of the taller buildings so we get better range."
"The Natblida," Ontari and Lexa said together.
"They know Polis better than anyone."
"Let's put them to work."
"What do you want them to do, Raven?" Clarke asked.
"Block all the holes in the foundation. There's still a lot of places for people to get in and out."
"I'll get them started," Lexa volunteered.
"Nuh unh, I need you and the general here," she glanced at Aden, "to help me with troop placements and the best places to put traps and mines."
"I'll get them," Clarke said, and left quickly.
Lexa looked at Ontari. "Come," she said, and got up, ignoring Raven's protests, and Ontari followed her from the room.
Lexa led her to the training ring, took a place in the center and drew her sword. Ontari hesitated before squaring up to her.
Lexa saw Clarke leading the Natblida to the Tower and attacked Ontari. Ontari's defense was clumsy and Lexa barked instruction at her until Ontari pulled herself together. While they moved around the ring, Lexa demanded, "Tell me what happened. "
Ontari's recollection was clear, but there was so much. Still, Lexa was able to sift through it. "Spies," she panted and ducked under Ontari's blade.
Ontari stopped.
Lexa stopped too. They both breathed hard, trying to catch some air. "We aren't the only ones with spies," she reminded Ontari.
"Skrish," Ontari began, and devolved into Azgedasleng that Lexa couldn't follow. "Tower, now."
Lexa bit back her smile as she sheathed her sword and followed Ontari back to the Tower.
100 – 100 – 100
Heda's suite was nearly full. The Natblida stood quietly, listening while Raven and Aden explained what they needed. Clarke was arranging for soldiers to accompany the Natblida through Polis. Although they were all smart, tough, and well trained, they were children and could be overpowered.
Aden finished and looked to Raven. She looked at all of them, then grinned. "You get this done, and then we're gonna work on making things go boom. Leave one exit for us to sneak in and out, and we'll seal it up when we finish. Everybody know what you need to do?"
The Natblida, excited by the promise of explosions, eagerly agreed and paired up. Aden and Fair stood aside, knowing they were expected to stay.
Guards were waiting in the hallway, and units of two adult fighters and two Natblida left the Tower. Clark instilled in the gona that the Natblida were doing Heda's bidding and should have whatever aid they required.
A dozen were still in the hall when Ontari and Lexa arrived. Clarke waved them toward the suite and continued to make units until everyone was gone except the regular guard. She joined the others around the table inside. Clarke was relieved to see Ontari and Lexa debating, both stabbing at the map.
"Hold up, I have enough for both. Hell, I have enough to go all around, but it won't be deep."
"Deep?"
"Uh, wide. Broad."
"Two belts," Aden said.
"What?"
"Two belts around the city. Not all explosives but enough to make them worry."
Lexa smiled at Aden. In a few years, he would be the general Ontari needed.
"Good idea," Raven approved and pulled another piece of paper from under the map. She drew a smaller version of it, with just the walls, and they went to work with Ontari figuring out where and what types of traps to place.
"I'm going to check on Roan and Skaikru," Clarke told Lexa quietly. "I'll be back."
"Hey, Clarke, can you ask somebody to get the minions?" Raven asked.
"No problem," she said on her way to the door.
She tagged a messenger in the hall and trotted down the stairs. She walked quickly to the hospital. The mood in the streets was apprehensive, but everyone moved with purpose. At the hospital, Clarke didn't bother anyone. She went to Roan's room. He was awake, trying to prevent Abby from giving him Skaikru pain medication.
"Klark!" Abby turned to look while Clarke approached.
Clarke removed the syringe from Abby's hand. She held kept it behind her back and held out her other hand. "Cap, please."
"Clarke, he needs to stay ahead of the pain."
"Klark, I have much to tell you."
"As soon as he and I finish talking, if he needs a shot, I will give it to him."
Abby started to sputter. Roan looked nervously between Abby and Clarke, but was optimistic Clarke would win this round. She had the needle now.
"Mom, I need to talk to Roan and the longer you argue about this, the longer it will take us to finish talking."
Abby growled as she left the room. Clarke went to Roan's bedside and took a good look at him. He was pale from blood loss and had a few tells of pain, but he needed to make sure everyone had the same information. "You're gonna take this when we're done," she said.
"Sha," he agreed. "Where are Lexa and Heda?"
"Planning with Raven. Aden and Fair are with them. They sent the Natblida out to seal the walls."
"Good. Good. He will keep coming until he is stopped. I am not certain how strong his alliance with Blue Cliff and Shadow Valley is, but it was like they knew our plan."
"Spies."
"Most likely." Roan tried to cough, but only a groan came out.
"Anything else?"
He shook his head and Clarke leaned over the arm with the IV port. "I'll be back later. Rest." She injected the medication and waited for him to sleep before leaving.
As Clarke expected, Abby was waiting in the hall. The guards wouldn't let her back in as long as Clarke was with Roan. Clarke handed Abby the syringe. "He'll sleep for a while. I have to go."
She walked purposefully through the hospital and skirted the market on her way to see Skaikru. She wondered how many went with them and how many came back.
It still looked like a work in progress. A few buildings were finished, and they hurried now to complete what they could. Clarke found Miller. His arm was in a sling but he smiled when he saw her. "Hey, Clarke."
"Miller, what happened?"
"I was too slow."
"How many went?"
"Um, a dozen with each army. Seven didn't make it. Harper's in the hospital. Monroe should be there, too, but she won't go."
"Where is she?"
He pointed at one of the finished houses.
"I'll check on her before I have to go. What do you need from me?"
Miller shook his head. "Go."
"Thank you," Clarke said and walked to the small cabin. She didn't knock. "Monroe."
"Back here."
Clarke followed her voice to a bedroom in the back. Monroe laid on the bed, one leg propped up. "Did you let anyone look at it?"
"It's just sprained."
"According to?"
"Nyko, OK? Jeez, you fuss more than Miller. Nyko said stay off it for a few days."
"OK. Miller acted like you were in danger."
Monroe mumbled something.
"What?"
"Arrow through my thigh, too, alright? Nyko took care of it. Clarke, you have important shit to take care of. Go do it and let me rest."
"You sure?"
"Get the hell outta here."
Clarke put up her hands. "I'm going."